Holland Shipyards Group has completed the upgrade of Amasus Shipping’s 2017-built RoRo heavy cargo deck carrier, Rotra Mare. Working with Niestern Sander, Holland Shipyards Group has readied the transport vessel to carry the next generation wind turbines. 

Rotra Mare arrived at Holland Shipyards Group facilities in Delfzijl where it was extended from 141.6 meters overall length to 153.2 meters. To construct this extension, a new section was built. The vessel cut in half for this purpose, the bow was floated out of the dry dock and the new section was placed in between. This section was first adapted to the aft ship in the dry dock, after which the dock was lowered for the attachment of the foreship.

Holland Shipyards Group briefly noted that the 11,60 meter extension been completed, and already completed its first voyage. The vessel is being prepared to transport Siemens Games wind blades as Bonn & Mees is fitting it with a blade rack at the Verbrugge terminal.

Amasus has also commissioned the modification of Rotra Mare’s sister vessel, Rotra Vente at Holland Shipyards Group’s facilities Hardinxveld-Giessendam.

The modifications are currently ongoing and include the removal of its characteristic cover in order to be equipped with sponsons around the hull in order to increase her beam for more deck space and stability for sailing with the future generations of wind turbines. Also her lifting bow opening will be increased and the Ro/Ro ramp strengthened to allow future smooth loading and discharging operations. Rotra Vente is expected to enter services in March 2022.

Both vessels have been purpose-built for Siemens Gamesa and wind turbine components transport requirements. The company has a long-term framework deal with deugro to assist with the shipping of large wind turbine components.